These are my favorites, both to build and play. Mostly they're used in Celtic music, but I like to play American fiddle tunes on them -- lots of fun!

There's no standard scale length, tuning, or nomenclature here. If it has a long scale length (about 25") and octave tuning on the lower courses, it's usually a"bouzouki". If it has a shorter scale length (about 22") and unison courses, it's an "octave mandolin". If it has 10 strings (normally but not necessarily short scale) it's a "cittern". Personally I don't like to play the long scale instruments because I'm a melody player, and the frets are too far apart for mandolin fingering. But the long scale gives a more complex, interesting sound.

Mandolas and mandocellos are in the "Mandolin Family" directory, not here.

My flat-top instruments listed have stood up for a couple of years and should be structurally sound.

All of them feature a bolt-on neck. This allows you, the user, to change the neck angle -- a task which normally requires a skilled technician, who must steam the neck joint to soften the glue. With the bolt-on neck, you can unbolt the neck yourself and change the angle of a shim to alter the neck angle.

AVAILABLE

	Number 117	A "basic" octave mandolin in mahogany and spruce. On consignment
	Number 115	A deep-back bouzouki in curly red maple and redwood. $3300
	Number 98	A flat-top bouzouki with floating bridge in goncalo alves and cedar. On consignment
	Number 93	A flat-top bouzouki with pin bridge in leopardwood and bearclaw Sitka spruce. $2400
	Number 82	An arch-top bouzouki in bubinga and redwood. On consignment
	Number 79	An arch-top long-scale cittern in cherry and Sitka spruce. $2600

GALLERY OF SOLD BOUZOUKIS

The bouzoukis, citterns and octave mandolins in this gallery are either already sold or not for sale, but the photos may give you an idea of the range of body styles and ornamentation available if you choose to have an instrument custom made.

Click to view gallery